German chemicals manufacturer Evonik has started manufacturing and selling hydrocarbons for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps in Europe, the company announced on its website on January 11.
The three hydrocarbons in the company’s portfolio, also made for aerosols, are propane (R290), isobutane (R600a) and n-butane (R600). They are all marketed under the brand name DRIVOSOL.
Evonik describes R290 as energy efficient with “excellent thermodynamic properties,” especially suited for AC systems operated at high ambient temperatures. For R600 and R600a, the company emphasizes the performance in applications with low refrigerant charges, when compared to fluorinated refrigerants.
The company stresses that the DRIVOSOL products are high quality. “The most important characteristic is its high purity, which has so far been used primarily in aerosols for deodorants or shaving foam,” said Sarah Kranz, Marketing Manager at Evonik Performance Intermediates. “We have now used our experience, particularly in reprocessing technology, to identify and exploit new applications.”
Evonik sees high growth potential in the natural refrigerants market. “Thanks to technical advances, [hydrocarbon] refrigerants can now be used safely, efficiently and, above all, cost-effectively,” the company stated on its website. “This opens up new areas of application for refrigeration systems in both the private and commercial sectors, benefiting both manufacturers and end customers.”
“Clearly, we want to be part of that growth,” said Christian Bierhaus, Head of Marketing and Sales at Evonik Performance Intermediates, while stressing that the company is also aware of the environmental and energy efficiency benefits of natural refrigerants.
“With the expansion of our specialties business, we are able to serve the increasing individual demand of our customers, while also making a small contribution to reducing the greenhouse effect,” Bierhaus added. “The latter succeeds above all through the higher energy efficiency that can be achieved with our products.”
Evonik describes itself as a world leader in specialty chemicals. The company is operating in more than 100 countries around the world.
